If you live in a snowy area like here in New York, chances are your car is looking pretty dirty these days.

Road salt, dirt, and snow can make your car unrecognizable.

Washing your car during the winter season may seem like a waste of time, but, it is worth it in the long run.

Road salt and moisture can cause rust on a car. Not only is rust hard to stop but it can truly do damage to your vehicle.

Taking care of your car now means that it will last longer and its overall value will remain high.

Be sure to give your vehicle a rough scrub and a waxing. Pay close attention to the areas behind the wheels, quarter panels and front grille. These are the main areas where salt and dirt are collected.

If you don’t want to do the work yourself, invest a few dollars at your local car wash. Chances are for the price you pay, your car will get an excellent wash and wax.

Winterizing your car doesn’t have to be expensive or difficult. It just takes a little time.

The chilly months are here and there is no better way to warm up than next to your fire place.

It’s important to use extra precautions when burning wood in your fire place. Just a few simple safety tips will go a long way when it comes to protecting your home and family from a possible mishap.

Only burn dry, cured wood. Wood that has been split, stacked and dried for eight to twelve months is ideal.

Burn Firewood and only firewood! Other woods such as construction scraps, painted wood’s and treated woods release chemicals into your home. Not only does this compromise the air quality in your home but it can be deadly in some situations.

Have a chimney cap installed. This will prevent objects and critters from entering through and coming in your home.

Be sure to install carbon monoxide and smoke detectors near your fireplace as well as hallways and bedroom areas.

New Year’s Resolutions can be hard to keep when your list of goals is as long as your shopping list. Add on some stress and post-holiday slump and you’re feeling hopeless!

Don’t panic! Here are some tips to help keep your resolutions in check and on track.

Start small. Don’t jump into an unrealistic resolution. For example, instead of promising yourself to go to the gym five times a week, make a promise of three days. This will help you feel more accomplished and help your strive towards the five days.

Change one behavior at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed and think that you have to reassess everything in your life. Instead, focus on changing one thing at a time.

Talk about it. Share your goals and expectations with your family and friends. Having a support system will help you in achieving your goals.

Don’t beat yourself up. If you promised yourself to eat healthy this year and splurge on a bowl of ice cream. Don’t get down about it. We are all human and we are far from perfect. One bowl of ice cream or even a cookie will not permanently destroy your resolution. Everyone has up and downs. Simply recover from your mistakes and get back on track.

The winter of 2018 is forecast to be one of the coldest on record. Many homeowners and businesses will be experiencing frozen water pipes.

Low temperatures of 20 degrees and below can result in frozen or burst water pipes.

Here are some precautions to take when avoiding frozen or bursting pipes in your home:

– Keep your heat up to at lease 60-65 degrees.
– Run faucets at a slow trickle.
– Seal any areas where there is a draft.
– Open up your cabinet doors to let heat into closed spaces.
– Remove hoses from outside yard faucets.

If your pipes DO freeze, it’s OK! Just because they are frozen it does not mean they will burst. Here is what you can do:

– Leave your faucets open and call a plumber.
– Do not use a torch or open flame to thaw a frozen pipe.
– Try thawing the frozen pipe with a hairdryer. Start with the pipe closest to the faucet and work your way to the coldest section.

If your pipes have burst, turn off the water at the main shut off valve and leave your faucets on. It’s important that every member of your home know’s where the main shut off valve is located.

For more information on what damages and repairs are covered under your homeowners insurance due to a burst pipe, please give Susan or Amanda a call at (516) 249-5200.